Tooth Whitening

We offer affordable take home whitening. At home whitening process uses customized trays and whitening gel. For whitening of dark, dull, or stained teeth, bleaching may be the simplest solution. Bleaching is performed by taking an impression of your teeth and making a duplicate model of them. On this model, a soft, thin, clear tray is fabricated. This tray is filled with a whitening gel and placed directly over the teeth in the mouth. This whitening gel filled tray can be worn for several hours during the day or worn at night while you sleep. Results can be seen daily. To attain maximum results, most patients must wear the whitening tray for 1-2 weeks. This will get your teeth whiter. If you have existing crowns (caps) or tooth colored fillings, whitening will not change their color. Other procedures such as veneers or crowns may be an option if you desire a whiter smile.

Laminate Veneers

Many times, the demands of cosmetic changes in the mouth are too great for simple bonding. This is when porcelain laminate veneers may be used. Porcelain veneers (sometimes referred to as laminates) can change an entire smile. Porcelain laminate veneers are quick, painless, and dramatic. They can change shape, color, size, and arrangement of teeth or any combination of these factors. They can be used as an alternative for orthodontic treatment. The best part about porcelain laminate veneers is that they can be placed in two visits. The technique consists of first shaving a thin layer of outer tooth structure (about the thickness of an eggshell). An impression is then taken of the prepared teeth and is sent to a dental laboratory. In the lab, a ceramist will make very thin porcelain facings consisting of all the changes in shape, size, color and teeth arrangement that are needed to have a great looking smile. At the second visit, the laminates are bonded onto the prepared teeth with a white light gun. The bonding material acts as an adhesive for the laminates. Porcelain laminates are the most popular technique used for dramatic smile makeovers.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth Colored Fillings
(Direct Small Fillings)

When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding is applied to a tooth via a light wand. First, the tooth structure is prepared and a clear adhesive is applied to the area needing bonding. Once applied, a tooth colored bonding material is placed on the tooth. It is permanently hardened and fused to the tooth with a hand held light wand. This process is called photo curing. Bonding makes a great tooth colored filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces. It can also be used to close spaces between teeth. Additionally, it is used to cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape. For the latter two applications, bonding has its limits. It may not be strong enough, aesthetic enough, or durable enough for certain individual situations. When these problems occur, the next choice would be porcelain laminate veneers.

Tooth Colored Fillings
(Inlays & Onlays)

For larger cavities or broken teeth, we offer bonded lab processed tooth colored inlays and onlays which strengthen your teeth and add longevity to the restoration. For smaller fillings, a tooth colored space age composite material can be bonded to your tooth in one short visit. These may often be used as a conservative alternative to the full crown. They allow us to preserve healthy tooth structure and the health of your gums. Many times these restorations can be completed in one visit with a CEREC restoration.